[Stags Heads - Dibedale] 1856

Horatio Ross's 1856 photograph, "[Stags Heads - Dibedale]", depicts four stag skulls mounted on a rough wall, their antlers intertwined in a striking, almost abstract composition. The starkness of the image, with its focus on the animal remains, highlights the photographer's interest in capturing the beauty of nature in its most raw form. The work, a testament to the early days of photography, showcases the technical skill of Ross, who was a pioneer in the field, using a calotype process. This photograph, currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, continues to be a captivating exploration of both the natural world and the art of photography.